The US Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed Senator John Kerry to be secretary of state, with Republicans and Democrats praising him as the ideal successor to Hillary Clinton.

The Senate's 94-3 vote came just hours after the Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination of the five-term Massachusetts Democrat, who has been a member of the committee for 28 years and led it for the past four.

Mr Kerry could be sworn in as early as Wednesday.

President Barack Obama issued a statement after the vote, saying: "John has earned the respect of leaders around the world and the confidence of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, and I am confident he will make an extraordinary Secretary of State.

"I look forward to his counsel and partnership in the years ahead as we ensure American leadership in the world and advance the interests and values that keep our nation strong."

Obama nominated Kerry to replace Hillary Clinton

The president chose the 69-year-old son of a diplomat, decorated Vietnam veteran and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, to succeed Mrs Clinton, who is stepping down after four years.

The senator had pined for the top diplomatic job that went to Mrs Clinton after Mr Obama's 2008 election.

Mr Kerry has served as the president's unofficial envoy, soothing relations with leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The ease with which the Senate acted on Mr Kerry's nomination likely will not be repeated with Mr Obama's two other national security nominees - former Republican Sen Chuck Hagel for Defence Secretary and John Brennan for CIA director.

Mr Hagel faces strong opposition from some of his former GOP colleagues who question his support for reductions in the nuclear arsenal and cuts in defence spending.

Lawmakers also have questioned whether he is sufficiently supportive of Israel and strongly opposed to any negotiations with Iran.

Democrats have rallied for Mr Hagel and he announced support from at least a dozen members in advance of his confirmation hearing on Thursday. Six Republicans have said they would vote against him.

Mr Brennan faces questions from the GOP about White House leaks of classified information and from Democrats about the administration's use of drones.